Population rising
Crowds everywhere
Climate changing
Panic everywhere
Conflict mounting
Fear everywhere
Survival of the fittest
We are taught to believe
Beat thy neighbor
Self-declared leaders show the way
Yet
Deep in our beings
We feel good
Helping one another
Why don’t we listen?
And just get along
Maybe just maybe
There will be the day
When we step forward
Together
And survive
Leading the way
One Perspective
Sky Wolf
Chapter One: Beginning
It was on top of a mountain under a snow-covered Lodgepole Pine that he first spoke of his true nature. He was with strangers who had all signed up to learn to be outdoor educators with the Leadership School. They had climbed all day long from their first camp site in the foothills of Washington until they reached the knee-deep springtime snow that weighted the Cascade Mountain peaks for as far as the eye could see. It was after a warm meal and the pitching of tents that they sat and listened to each other speak. They did not speak of their names or their jobs or their homes or their accomplishments; they spoke of who they were. They spoke with heartfelt honesty and deep reflection.
It was here, under the tree in the mountains, sitting on ancient granite under the emerging starlit skies and looking out to the distant darkening valleys and glowing mountain peaks, that it all became clear to him. It was here that he saw how everything he saw and everything he had experienced and everything in history all together was all connected. Everything had led him to this place. Everything had prepared him for this moment.
It was here in the dusk of the clear, thin mountain air, next to the snowy tree rooted solidly in the rock and reaching resiliently to the light above, that he knew he was both Earth Owl and Sky Wolf.
He thought back to his youth when he was filled with the unconditional love of his parents, Father Sky and Mother Earth. Father Sky had grown up on a small coastal Massachusetts farm and had an ancestry dating back to the Mayflower that was immersed in American history and Native American culture; Mother Earth was the child of Scottish immigrants, her father a Massachusetts shoe cobbler. He remembered his own boyhood years of outdoor play, community events, and neighborhood sports in Burnt Hills, a land once inhabited by the Mohawks as part of the Iroquois nation. He had recollections of the mountain-climbing, canoe-travelling, and backcountry-camping adventures with Father Sky. He felt the warm support and friendship of Mother Earth.
He thought of his personal traits of honesty and integrity which he learned from both Father Sky and Uncle Marine, and how they had taught him to do the work, stand tall, and be loyal to his sense of doing what was right for the benefit of everyone, especially friends, family, and his home village. Father Sky and Uncle Marine had grown up in a period of world war, when wealth was scare, and you did what you needed to do to provide for your family and support your nation.
He thought back to his childhood days of both loneliness and neighborhood friendships. He had many friends, but rarely close friends. He saw the best in others, assuming that they would see the best in him. In reality, it was only Father Sky and Mother Earth that were always there for him and really understood him. Maybe Sister Smile too. Yet, in his mind, he still led his life as a positive, happy, caring, and helpful role model, choosing to just do what he thought was right, doing what was healthy, not taking things too seriously, even if it meant going his own way. After all, living a straight life as a teenager was not the popular choice; it was easy to feel ridiculed and different. “Go where there is no path and leave a trail” were words that resonated in his memory. He had a picturesque imagination filled with beauty. He felt empowered.
He remembered how he would spend evenings under the starlit sky and imagine his connection with all of the Universe. Those skies looked very familiar to him as he sat on this West coast mountaintop. He remembered how he would reflect upon all kinds of things and imagine all kinds of possibilities.
He remembered how he always worked so hard in his school and college days, earning advanced degrees from engineering colleges, winning scholarship and citizenship awards, and publishing research papers. He rarely took days off, but when he did, it was usually to teach skiing or to participate in short family vacations. He became certified to teach skiing at a very young age. He loved being in the mountains. He loved sharing his passion for skiing with others. He loved being a role model for younger people. He remembered how his positive smile was so contagious. He remembered how most people described him as “nice” (sometimes, though, in a derogative judgmental way). He remembered how he loved to dance and move his body to music, sometimes becoming deeply immersed in the message too.
He remembered how he persevered through a high school back injury, learning that he had a congenital back deformity, and being told that he should avoid contact sports, skiing, and loading his spine. He remembered how he got on his bike and rode, determined to overcome these physical obstacles by trying something new.
He felt proud of the work he did as a young professional engineer, quickly progressing to be a project manager, company partner, and regional leader in New York State. He grew up near where the Mohawk River meets the Hudson River, where the Dutch met the Mohawk; he also spent his college and university years and his early adult years near the same rivers. The Hudson River flows steadily from the geologically-old and currently-wild Adirondack Mountains to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Most of his early years were in these mountains, near these waters, and surrounded by the history of Saratoga, the French and Indian Wars, the American Revolution. He felt like he planted many seeds of support for the young engineers and ski instructors who he mentored during these years. He had led the construction of many successful building structures; he understood the forces of nature, structure, and connections. He left his workplaces having influenced positive cultures of interdependent and cooperative working relationships.
He remembered how ashamed he felt when he was divorced from his first wife. He realized quite early in their marriage that his innocent nature was not a match for his street-wise, NYC-bred-and-orphaned wife. He also remembered how Uncle Marine looked at him deeply, with the eyes of battle experience from two wars, and told him that he’s had a good life, time to move on. He did.
It was not too long afterwards when he explored a life of adventure, taking some real vacations for the first time, choosing to test the strength of his mind and his body… and the durability of his back and supporting core. He went on many long rides, sometimes covering over 200 miles in 24-hours under the power of his own legs and his determined mind. He hiked in the forests of Belize and Guatemala, he swam and surfed in the warm waters of Hawaii and the Caribbean, he competed in endurance races, he guided mountain bikers and climbed snowy mountains at night, he participated in high-ropes adventure learning courses, and he explored the mountains of California and Utah. He encountered a night of Death, as he pedaled in a race disrupted by drunken drivers and stricken riders. The smell of Death lingers; it heightens the essence of Life, he thought. He took his bicycle with Sister Smile to New Zealand, The Land of Many Sheep, for a month, without a real plan, and experienced an adventure-of-a-lifetime with his childhood neighbor. The trip unfolded in ways he had never experienced nor anticipated. He became familiar with the acceptance and the enjoyment of the journey; the destination always seemed so far away. He saw beauty in every direction.
And then more recently, after about a dozen years as a young professional engineer and experience as a ski school leader, he had decided to take a year away. He decided to leave the security and success of a young and promising career. With no plan, he left the familiarity of the New York valleys and rivers, and headed across the border to Vermont to the land of the Green Mountains. Father Sky and Mother Earth expressed their support and confidence in his choice. He felt free to explore. He knew deep inside that there was something more he was supposed to do with his life.
He decided to sign up for this outdoor leadership course. He was now on this mountaintop, seeing rising stars which looked familiar, seeing snowy mountains which he had come to know, and feeling the energy of his brethren trees standing tall at his side.
He felt the strength of the standing trees bending under the weight of the snow; he felt his strength and his ability to do work with discipline and integrity. He felt the loving arms of the supportive earth where the tree roots spread out deeply; he felt his own loving kindness and his ability to care for others with whole-heartedness. He felt the tree reaching skyward for the light of the sun and the heavens; he felt his own tendencies to look at the big picture from above to see clarity and truth, always asking, “why?” He felt the moisture in the branches and smelled the fragrance of the needles, and realized that these trees face uncertain futures but still strive to stand tall each day; he became deeply aware that this expedition (and indeed, the rest of his life) would be about learning from the unexpected adventures of life as they unfolded.
His previous experience in life had prepared him for this moment. And perhaps, this moment would prepare him for whatever might come.
He had already lived many lives both as Sky Wolf, the protective leader of his village who strived in a spirited manner towards day-to-day goals and community vision, and Earth Owl, the caring, wise observer who saw answers and new perspectives while keeping a kind, soulful acceptance of our common loving nature. Sky Wolf was his knowledge-based daytime work efforts; Earth Owl guided his heartfelt, intuitive wanderings and accepting nature. They met in the trees where the earth meets the sky. They met at dawn and at dusk, where the rising sun cast light on the day and the emerging stars called for reflection and learning.
At this time, on this mountaintop, he occupied both an intelligent mind and a powerful body. At this time, he knew he had been prepared for whatever was to come. At this time, he realized that he was indeed a child of the Universe, like the trees and the stars; he belonged here. Everything was connected and was unfolding continuously… naturally, and guided by the common presence and importance of every evolving living being and every piece of matter. As he saw it that evening, everything was One. And he was an important part of whatever was to unfold.
In his young work life, he lived primarily as Sky Wolf. Little did he know, at that time, that his life as Sky Wolf and Earth Owl living and working together was just beginning. Little did he know, that this emergence as One Being was only in its infancy and his youthful years of self-discovery and his mid-life years of transformation were just beginning. He was being prepared for the future adventures to come.
As he hiked out of the mountains from that expedition, he watched as cut-and-run helicopters decimated a forested hillside for lumber to be used all across the country. He listened to music in the van on the ride home: Bullet the Blue Sky. U2. With the sound of choppers in the background it says, “Outside its America.” It was June 1996. He would return to base camp and learn that friends of our expedition leaders, men halfway around the world, were making Life or Death decisions as they also climbed into thin air.
Everything is connected….
Chapter Two: Beginning Again
He returned from this expedition confident and filled with the knowledge that he could lead, he could survive, that he could press beyond the impossible, and that he was strong, durable, and powerful. Even at 38 years old, he had endured avalanches and days climbing in hip-deep snow on the expedition. He carried everything he needed in life on his back; he worked effectively with others to ensure the survival of the entire group, some members half his age. He kicked many, many steps for others on the steep frozen slopes of the magnificent Cascades.
He came home to the loving home of a new family in Vermont and quickly got married as a new man. His new wife was Golden Lioness, radiant and beautiful, strong and independent. She was the mother of two beautiful children, four-year-old Little Flower and eight-year-old Little Tree.
He left behind his work as an engineer in New York and began a career in the ski and snowboard business as a clinician, staff trainer, and director. It was 1997. The first few years were filled with invigorating educational work, leadership successes, and summer and winter adventures with his new family to explorations in the Western mountains. He felt like himself in these big Western mountains surrounded by Big Sky. Utah. Colorado. Washington. Oregon. Wyoming. Montana. Golden Lioness also became a certified ski instructor and was known for her radiant smile. Little Flower and Little Tree eventually also became ski and snowboard instructors, enjoying family experiences in nature, often sharing these experiences with their friends.
There was a time when Sky Wolf and Golden Lioness even spent an entire week together on one bicycle built for two, pedaling 500 miles through heat, hail, and storms. It was their expedition together when they realized the strength of their interdependence and the power of their individual resolve. They passed over Colorado peaks where Rivers Flow East and West, and where Big Sky is expansive.
In order to improve their schooling experiences, Sky Wolf spent a year driving Little Flower and Little Tree to a far-away school and taught classes himself. Health and Wellness. Geography. Math. He even led a winter camping course with his children and their schoolmates. Together with Earth Owl, he facilitated an experience which may indeed have been the highlight of these many young lives. But, they all soon realized that they would need to move and find a new school. The tuition costs for children of a step-father teacher were too expensive for the commuting family.
They moved to another Vermont community, where the kids entered a new school; Golden Lioness started a new yoga studio; and he started a business as a timber-frame home and sustainable designer. He called it Gaia, to represent the Oneness he had experienced on his expedition, and the connections between healthy living and healthy homes.
Even with the move to the new community, it seemed that everything was happening relatively easily and positively. There was a certain ease and flow with their lives; they had found a good school and an active community.
Of course, being a step-father was a learning experience. As Sky Wolf, he had to learn when to step in and lead; as Earth Owl, he had to know when to step back and accept things as they were. He had a short leash when it came to making mistakes; he felt tested and judged as a step-father, but he tried to go with the flow whenever possible. For him, it was the ultimate test of giving unconditional love and letting go of expectations and outcomes that he could not control. And enjoying the journey. He tried to be a good father to Little Tree and Little Flower, and to continually try to support them and help them see their own Way. Little Tree had an inherent inquisitive nature and was very smart; he deeply missed his natural father like he had lost his sense of self. Little Flower was intuitive and seemed to be confident with who she was. Both children were naturally talented and fun to be around. He had fallen in love with them immediately.
Things changed when Black Bear and his new wife moved into his family’s new town in Vermont.
Black Bear was the father of Little Tree and Little Flower, and former husband of Golden Lioness.
Black Bear had been in jail in the Land of the White Mountains. Immediately after jail, he had been limited to travel only in the Land of the White Mountains. Now, Black Bear was free to travel across boundaries.
As the new husband of Golden Lioness, he knew of the background. He knew that Golden Lioness and Black Bear had a bad marriage, and that bad things happened. Tragic things. He knew that Black Bear had been convicted in the Land of the White Mountains; there was drinking and driving and Death was there. He knew more. Much more. But those are stories for others to tell. He just knew that here were two beautiful young children looking for some semblance of normalcy in their early years. He knew that Golden Lioness worked tirelessly to care for her children. He did not understand the depth of their story and how deeply it lingered.
During the early years, he spent many hours consoling the kids at night, helping them see the positive that their father would one day be out of jail and able to spend time again with them. He just had faith that everything would work out okay. He could not imagine any other outcome. If he was loving to them, provided support and positive guidance, and spoke positively about their father, he knew in his heart that his unselfishness would be rewarded with kindness and understanding from the kids and Black Bear alike. His Earth Owl persona prevailed. He thought, “Be loving. Accept things as they are. Have faith.”
Yes, during the early years, he saw some unfamiliar behavior. Every time the kids and his wife returned from the jail visits, there was some unexplained anxious behavior. He didn’t understand it, but he thought it was understandable. The behavior also surfaced when they returned from visits to see Golden Lioness’s parents, Father Bear and Mother Lioness. He was supportive of Golden Lioness’s practices to learn yoga and to be engaged in other holistic wellness remedies. Zero balancing. Massage. Reiki. Readings. Chiropractic work. She had a powerful sense of intuition and energy.
When Black Bear was allowed out of the Land of the White Mountains and got re-married, Black Bear got re-acquainted with his old Vermont friends, many of whom were also friends of Golden Lioness. Golden Lioness heard of stories wherein Black Bear had spoken in front of school children speaking of his accident and the wife who divorced him because of the accident. She saw some videotapes of the presentations; there were things he said that just didn’t feel right, he sounded like a victim. She heard where Black Bear’s new wife was implying to the kids that Black Bear’s drinking was because Golden Lioness was not a good wife. Golden Lioness and Earth Owl did not want to believe that this indeed the case; however, the fear that it might be the case started to take root. Golden Lioness started to have some unexplained anxiety attacks, random panic attacks. It seemed that her world was closing in on her. However, she marched onward, trusting that goodness would prevail. Earth Owl was afraid.
Then Black Bear moved to the new town, wanting to be closer to Little Flower and Little Tree. Golden Lioness broke down. Things fell apart. Golden Lioness wanted the kids to have a good relationship with their dad, she always did. But, unfortunately, her body couldn’t tolerate it. Nervous anxiety exploded. Little Tree moved in to live with Black Bear and his new wife, as any boy would be expected to do, and eventually left for college.
Golden Lioness sought help. She eventually closed the yoga studio.
Fearful of what Black Bear would do if Black Bear knew of Golden Lioness’s illness, she kept it quiet. She would die if she lost the custody of her kids, or if Little Flower moved out too.
Her constant panic attacks and inability to function were a generally kept a secret. Certainly, unexplained behavior carries a negative stigma in society… and certainly they didn’t really understand what was going on. No one did.
Doctor after doctor. Diagnosis after diagnosis. Week after week. Month after month. Year after year. It went on. Unlike physical ailments or even terminal illnesses, the scientific knowledge surrounding mental health is in its infancy. It was an intensely private time for the withering personas of Sky Wolf and Earth Owl; day-after-day Sky Wolf emerged as the dutiful protector; day-after-day there was something melting away from his spirit and something hardening in the heart of Earth Owl. Lonely, yet determined, Sky Wolf found solace in his personal gym; Earth Owl found the essence of yoga practice. Together as One, he discovered the wonder of the human body and its ability to adapt and persevere physically and mentally; he began a journey in re-building his body and mind and subtle nature through new eating and whole-body-centered practices. It started to become his lifestyle and daily ritual, his motivation to wake-up each day. It was a practice to hold on to.
There were days when he didn’t know if Golden Lioness’s behavior was a result of the illness or the medication. He would bring his wife to every expert he could find and wait for their prescription to take effect. He read and read. She got worse. Morning long panic attacks. Night-time inability to sleep. Fainting from medication side effects. She would scream all morning in pain asking for him to help her. Screaming. Crying out for help. Heart-wrenching cries of pain. He felt helpless. She had The Eyes. The scent of Death was in the air. Indeed, he began to lose sleep and have anxiety attacks. He was caring for her during the day, trying to do design work and shopping for food at night, being there to provide some level of normalcy in Little Flower’s life. He sold some of his possessions to pay the medical bills. Golden Lioness’s light was dimming away at an accelerating pace. Little Flower was losing her childhood smile, though being resilient and caring throughout the ordeal.
He had to protect both Little Flower and Golden Lioness, sometimes taking the blame for their inability to visit with friends or keep appointments. He tried to provide a safe haven in their house, but often found that only taking her on vacation out-of-town enabled her to relax. He and Golden Lioness and Little Flower spent many winter weeks during this time in Utah, teaching skiing at Snowbird. He would not let Black Bear come near their house while they were home in Vermont, despite the wishes of Little Flower and Little Tree.
He would lay all morning by her side, holding her, whispering poems in her ear, breathing the breath of the warrior, yoga-style, like they had learned before. He would take her for walks in the woods. He became buddies with their dog, Jackson Moose Wyoming. They would listen to Yoga Nidra CDs and she would try to practice yoga asana. He would wait for Little Flower to come home from school, knowing that that would motivate Golden Lioness to get out of bed and act normal. The motivation to be a mother for her daughter kept her alive. Indeed, even professional psychiatrists would express to him that they were surprised that she was still alive. A family doctor even asked Little Flower what it was like to have a mother who was mentally ill. It was a dark time.
Yet, Golden Lioness fought and fought and fought. For Life. She was indeed the Queen of the Forest, showing infinite internal fortitude reaching out for Life while being swept downstream. And Earth Owl knew that she was still in there somewhere; that doctors were not seeing the real Golden Lioness. Like her upbringing and her relationship with Black Bear, no one really understood her, the strength of her resolve nor the light in her passionate heart. The professionals didn’t understand why she could be so miserable on the one hand, but rise to the occasion when with her daughter or when out-of-town. The doctors just said, “It must be bi-polar disorder, right? No, it is manic depression. Or, is it? Let’s try this. Let’s try that…”
He brought Golden Lioness to her parents’ Doctor Crazy Fox at their request. They lived near the Big City. He heard Father Bear talking on the phone to Doctor Crazy Fox seemingly in private conspiring to get her admitted into a Big City psychiatric hospital where they would try such things as electric shock treatment, maybe even brain surgery.
He lay in bed as Earth Owl, privately shaking, wondering what to do. Soul-searching. Wondering if his life was destined to visiting a sick, institutionalized wife. Her Life was withering away. He was smelling Death again.
Then, clearly as the light of day, he was overcome with this feeling to just let go, to just be like Jesus and express infinite loving care and understanding for his wife, and ask for help. This entire experience was not about him. He thought, “Let it go. Have faith in Love.”
That morning, while in the house of Father Bear and Mother Lion, Father Bear walked aggressively towards him demanding that he make a decision; Father Bear was prepared to have Golden Lioness taken away and admitted into the Big City hospital that day. Father Bear was strong-willed and forth-right; he took pride in making decisions and making things happen.
Sky Wolf stepped forward bravely, trusting Earth Owl, and said, “No, I’m taking her home to Vermont.”
At dawn the next morning, after letting go of feelings of personal responsibility and finding faith in the powers of infinite Love, things shifted for Earth Owl and Sky Wolf. Through a series of coincidences (of course not really coincidences), Sky Wolf, with the help of Earth Owl, was finally able to get the right help for Golden Princess. He found an emergency room at a hospital that had the proper expertise and he took her there. And she was able to finally let go of the expectation that he alone could save her. She was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the experiences of the years with her previous husband, Black Bear. Of course, when Black Bear encroached on her feeling of personal safety and control when he came to town, she was constantly triggered into emotional behaviors from the effects of the trauma held in her body for many years. She had unknowingly stored this trauma deep in her tissue; she was consumed by the feelings of guilt and responsibility for the events that occurred years before. She would need time to heal; her personal experience with the healing nature of yoga practice and mindful awareness would become the paths for her recovery. Remarkably, her previous life’s experiences and holistic health practices had intuitively prepared her for this moment.
Throughout this entire period of time, Sky Wolf was frantically researching solutions for Golden Lioness. Based on the behaviors he witnessed and information he found, he suspected something to do with the trauma or her relationship with Black Bear years before. He found assistance from women’s programs in Maine, cognitive behavioral specialists in the Land of the White Mountains, local pastors, anything he could find. The doctor he finally asked and who steered him towards the proper path that next morning was someone they had met in 2003, through Golden Lioness’s yoga teacher Sunny Day, who had become an expert in PTSD since the events of the day of Death, September 11, 2001, in the Big City. The medical expertise achieved through the events of 9-11 and the ensuing post-traumatic symptoms of family members, rescuers, and other observers became the basis of information and research that would eventually guide Golden Lioness’s medical recovery. The events surrounding Golden Lioness’s original trauma and emotional distress had taken place more than 7 years before 9-11, culminating in 1994; things began to fall apart a few years after 9-11; and Golden Lioness was finally admitted into a hospital where she began her recovery from PTSD a few years after that, in 2007, about a dozen years after the events surrounding her marriage with Black Bear.
Step by step, Golden Lioness found her way back. Step by step, Sky Wolf and Earth Owl found their common purpose as One again.
Black Bear moved away.
Little did Sky Wolf and Earth Owl know, their days as One – both warrior and healer – were just beginning; little did he know how Sky Wolf and Earth Owl would emerge as One again; little did he know how beautiful and strong Golden Lioness would be again one day; and little did he know how Little Flower and Little Tree would grow.
Chapter Three: Learning to Begin Again.
Things happen slowly, sometimes, and of course healing from PTSD does not happen quickly. It takes personal resolve; it takes heart; it takes practice; and it takes support.
He visited Golden Lioness in the hospital daily for 2 weeks, almost a 2-hour drive away from their home. He’d be home in time for Little Flower to arrive home, do his work, prepare dinner, and do some more work. He learned about the therapeutic treatment she was receiving. He helped Golden Lioness with this treatment, being aware of unhealthy thoughts and fears, letting go of negative thoughts about what others might be thinking or what could happen.
Little Flower had become an angel; she helped at home wherever possible.
When home and after months of cognitive behavioral therapy (Western medicine’s interpretation of Eastern mindfulness) at the hospital two hours away and practice at home, Golden Lioness applied for a job at a local college, succeeded for a while, but ultimately succumbed to the effects of working in a stressful, non-supportive work environment. However, it was a first step.
Another coincidence happened immediately after her resignation. An old friend of Sky Wolf, one who knew of his ability to build team and lead groups from his experiences in outdoor education, called one day. Not knowing of any of the private experiences surrounding Golden Lioness and the PTSD, she asked Sky Wolf if he would be interested in helping her welcome a group of post-9-11 combat veterans with PTSD to a new program they were conducting at her adaptive sports organization.
Surprised by the coincidental nature of the call, and by this time trusting of the nature of the Universe for his Way to unfold in front of him if he pays attention with awareness, he agreed to visit and help out. Golden Lioness came along.
When Earth Owl saw The Eyes in the first participant he met, Brother Love, he knew he was in the right place. He recognized The Eyes, the blank, fearful, glazed-over stare, as if it was his own eyes. This person had met Death too. His one day visit would turn into three years of work in a community more than 2 hours away from home in Vermont. The timing was right: the call came in 2009 when the economy was tanking; work was scarce for Sky Wolf and Golden Lioness was without her job.
Golden Lioness worked as a marketing and special events coordinator. Years before, after she first met Sky Wolf, she had become a certified ski instructor too. So, she also helped work with adaptive volunteers and started to teach yoga again there.
Through the work with veterans and with others with disabilities, the Oneness of Sky Wolf and Earth Owl emerged again. It seemed like he was doing his life’s work, as a healer. Creating and facilitating wellness programs for veterans with combat stress, building relationships with all kinds of people with disabilities, physical and cognitive. Leading groups. Inspiring life-enhancing experiences. Learning adaptive yoga teaching practices with his ever-emerging wife, Golden Lioness.
He felt at home around the honorable nature of the veterans and their search for healing and meaning. Those that knew Death also knew Life. He felt his own power and resilience again as he stood by them, walked next to them, and healed with them. He saw how he had been prepared for this moment through all of his life’s previous experiences, good and bad, light and dark. He saw how helping others brought out the best in everyone, just as Brother Love knew.
The Eyes appeared less often. Brother Love had become a friend. They got tattoos together, consummating a spirit to let Love live and to plant seeds of joy throughout One’s home village. Brother Shaman brought out the Oneness of Sky Wolf and Earth Owl, acknowledging how they had merged into a balanced place, he now flowing with nature and consumed by Love for all. Brothers Big Ride and Fast Ride reminded Sky Wolf to listen to the wind, to sit amongst the trees, and to listen to Earth Owl. Brother Ground Zero reminded us all to walk on with trust, faith and a big heart… and to carry a big stick. Red Rose Running validated the Oneness of Sky Wolf and Earth Owl, and became an inspiring soul partner, working with Golden Lioness and him to create a new organization to help veterans with PTSD transition back to their communities in the Land of the West Coast, and being a spirit-mirror to reflect back the wondrous nature of collaborative mind-body-spirit work. And, Elder Mohawk, a Vietnam veteran, a Native American historian, a storyteller, and a wounded spirit who was still healing from a three-decades-ago war by immersing himself in the healing of these younger warrior souls, touched everyone.
He found inspiration with his friendships with Gimpy Cat and Wobbly Cat, two fast Mountain Lions that raced down ski hills, even with physical disabilities which limited their abilities to walk. He created new learning programs; he developed new staff training procedures. He loved his work with the adaptive volunteers. Golden Lioness and he almost moved their permanent home to this land two hours away, the Land of the Cat Hills, near the adaptive organization.
After three years, though, it was becoming more and more apparent that there were unsupportive staff that were undermining Golden Lioness’s ability to be healthy and Earth Owl’s ability to serve whole-heartedly. Finally, the passive-aggressive and bullying nature of one Blue Cat took their toll on them, and Sky Wolf, Earth Owl, and Golden Lioness returned to Vermont to begin again. The over-protective nature of Sky Wolf regarding Golden Lioness took its toll on him, and bridges were burned. Earth Owl is still learning to let these feelings go.
Chapter Four: Beginning Again
The next step lasted for only a year and a half, but out of this step emerged an even greater opportunity. Arriving back in Vermont, Golden Lioness and Earth Owl started a non-profit organization themselves, and took work at a local ski Corporation. They were hired to develop a health and wellness culture through resort-wide programming and events. Golden Lioness quickly developed a new yoga Living Room and developed mindful movement events. Sky Wolf quickly got promoted from snowsports school manager to director of all mountain sports. Perceived by many to be one of the top jobs in the industry, the position would have seemed to be the pinnacle of Sky Wolf’s ski career, a career that included: ground-breaking learn-to-ski programs and equipment-performance work; cultural, guest-centered and strengths-based leadership; and the coaching of master teachers. Again, however, the competitive nature of the Corporation undermined the health of Golden Lioness, and she had to resign to find her strength back again. The scent of Death had visited again.
Months later, Sky Wolf, after successfully working hard to improve resort culture and develop successful new snowsports programming, resigned too. Again, overwhelmed with his inherent nature to support his wife and conflicted with his sense of integrity – working at the Corporation that had hurt her again so deeply – he left abruptly, emotionally drained. In only a year and a half, Sky Wolf had lost his Earth Owl persona too. He wanted Earth Owl back in his life. The local non-profit organization they founded was also dissolved.
It was during this time that he lost his father, Father Sky, to Death. He shared the last night by Father Sky’s side, shared his last breath, and watched as Life left his body. Within months, Golden Lioness also lost her father, Father Bear, to Death. She shared the last night by Father Bear’s side, shared his last breath, and watched as Life left his body. They both witnessed the peaceful transcendence of their fathers; Death was present, but The Eyes weren’t.
Healing happens slowly, and progress with PTSD happens imperceptibly at times. But, Life felt different now. With Life, doors open. No need to fear. He remembered, “The secret was to pay attention, listen to intuition, and keep stepping forward… having faith that there will be support below the next step, and letting go of the last step. Letting go of a vision of the future or a particular outcome (or letting go of a particular vision of what life should be like) is when healing begins and forward steps happen with more ease.” In the very fabric of his Being, he had learned this. After all, it was like walking up the steep icy slopes or pedaling day after day in the Land of the Sheep or in the mountains where Rivers Flow East and West. “If you’re going to get anywhere, you need to keep taking steps forward.”
A door opened for Golden Lioness to open another heart-centered yoga studio in the Village. A partner stepped forward. Doors to the studio were opened late in 2013. Now, she bravely walks forward again, open to the future, letting go of her past, accepting things as they are, with an intrinsic gratitude for Life, and her natural attitudes of openness, vulnerability, and discovery.
As Golden Lioness found her health again and started to let her light radiate again through her yoga-teaching, Sky Wolf and Earth Owl reunited again. Slowly but surely, he found his confidence again in what he knew deeply through blissful yoga trainings in Canada with Ocean Finn. He re-connected with his spirit guides, Kokopelli (planting seeds, spreading joy) and Hanuman (serving others with heartfelt strength, loyalty, humility and humor). He knew he was supported by the spirits of Father Sky and Uncle Marine, Lord Jesus and Lord Buddha. He re-connected with his true nature through yin yoga trainings with Circles of Love.
He started to teach yoga himself in late 2014. He started to work with disabled youth again. Gaia-inspired, timber-home design started to find its way to his doors again – Brother Big Tree always had confidence in him. He is starting to explore being a coach for the people of the Village, helping them find their unique and individual powers. For the first time since moving to this Vermont Village, he is starting to venture out within this Village to find his own smile again.
And he started to write this story on September 11, 2015.
There are many chapters to follow. They will probably include stories of mentoring, teaching, facilitating learning, coaching and leading. But, these future pages are currently blank and the future course is uncertain. It seems that as the clouds start to depart, Sky Wolf starts to shine on Earth Owl, and the path becomes clearer.
These previous chapters seem dark and faded. There was a point in time when Sky Wolf let his instincts to protect his wife from Black Bear relax and he learned with Earth Owl’s influence that he could have feelings of compassion for Black Bear, too. He held on to his story quietly, however, because he wanted Golden Lioness, Little Flower, and Little Tree to be able to move on, too. Golden Lioness told her story to Circles of Love; it was understood. The stories of Black Bear will always be more understandable to the sympathetic ear. The stories of the victim’s family will always be understood. The stories of Little Flower and Little Tree will be one day understood. He has feared that the story of Earth Sky and Earth Owl will be less understood. After all, this story is told only behind the fourth or fifth curtain.
Sky Wolf still jumps with protective instincts when he sees Golden Lioness with The Eyes, or when Little Tree or Little Flower struggle.
In many respects, yoga has saved his life too. Sometimes mindful yoga practice is like walking in the trees; Earth Owl always seems to find him there, stimulating his intuition and perspective.
In this moment, Golden Lioness is flourishing with her new studio, bringing compassion and whole-hearted spirit to the Vermont Village, bringing a level of understanding only available to her from her darkest days and her long fight back. Little Flower is blossoming in the Beacon City. Little Tree is branching out in Life, too, while also thriving in the Beacon City. Golden Lioness, Little Tree, Little Flower, and Sky Wolf and Earth Owl have a family with Love again.
Brother Love has fathered two Little Hearts in St. Croix. Brother Shaman travels the world promoting a lifestyle of sustainable and mindful living, yoga, and balance. Brother Big Ride is living off the land with his wife and new child in the Upper Peninsula; Bother Fast Ride is making a movie about Dancing with Death, a dance with PTSD. Brother Ground Zero reminds us of 9-11, speaks publically to motivate support for veterans, and raises his Little Sun. Red Rose Running continues her trek to help combat veterans transition back to the California Village, somatically, organically, holistically, with her own Circles of Love. She will be married soon to Dream Woman. Elder Mohawk lives in the hearts of many, teaches folks in the Land of Many Lakes, and speaks of the Land of Dreams and the Land of the Strawberries.
Mother Earth and Mother Lioness live alone, but maintain ever-enduring spirits of resilience and family leadership, remembering their 60-plus years of faithful marriage and companionship, and the fruits of Love. Through many battles, living with Life and Death, these matriarchs live on.
Earth Owl and Sky Wolf are learning to accept their nature, visiting Mother Earth regularly for reassurance and support. Earth Owl looks for trees and time under the rising and setting sun, exploring the idea of leading and facilitating again with Sky Wolf from a whole-hearted and authentic place, enhancing lives and giving care to others, sharing whatever wisdom he has gained, practicing balance, and remembering that everything is connected in space and in time.
With PTSD, there will always be struggles with control, especially in a marriage. It is natural for Golden Lioness to seek control in her daily life; there is an inherent fear of loss-of-control. Similar to step-parenting, Earth Owl and Sky Wolf struggle to find balance. Earth Owl of course understands this and accepts his role in helping Golden Lioness constantly grow her sense of inner power (though sometimes it is at the expense of his own). Sky Wolf strives to protect himself (while protecting her) and find his own inner power and voice again. Together, Earth Owl and Sky Wolf find a sense of ease and balance. Together, in harmony with Golden Lioness, they watch trees and flowers grow. Together, they pay attention to new Life and the opening of doors. And get ready to begin again.
He regrets the people he has left behind from his various paths, wishing he could have been more loyal to them too. Even while working in places where Sky Wolf was his primary manifestation, Earth Owl was present. He had many heart-felt collaborative working relationships with many previous co-workers. He hopes one day that they will understand that he did what he felt like he had to do, honoring the needs of his family, while trying to take care of himself too. He takes pride in knowing that some of the people he mentored in his various paths have achieved grand success.
He regrets the fear that interrupted his Love and support for Little Tree and Little Flower. He hopes that Little Tree and Little Flower will flourish, and forever feel the heartfelt Love and embrace of Earth Owl and the steadfast loyalty and protection of Sky Wolf. He hopes that they understand that he did his best and that his intentions were good. He knows that in this moment, Love is present; it always was. He knows that he sees his own colorful heart in flowers, and feels the union of his multiple selves in trees.
He regrets that as a husband, step-father, and caregiver, he may not have been good enough.
But these regrets are stories that he continues to release by having faith that seeds have been well-planted and will be forever nourished. Life goes on.
Who is he? A spirited soul who has walked many paths, a kind and compassionate soul, a responsible individual with a deep sense of integrity and discipline, and a person intending to live a spiritual and whole-hearted life. He plants seeds and supports others. He loves the adventure of living and learning. He steps forward faithfully, now with an innate sense of uncertainty, learning from the past. He accepts and appreciates the gift of the present moment. He continually strives to accept the feelings that connect us all, by seeking Circles of Love and serving others. Each step preparing him for the next, he is grounded in the soul of the East while soaring in the spirited air of the West. He is both Sky Wolf and Earth Owl. Across the Atlantic Ocean and through the blue waters of New York and the Green Mountains of Vermont, he comes from Father Sky and Mother Earth. His life partner is Golden Lioness. He is a father to Little Tree and Little Flower.
He finds himself where everything, from all directions, connects.
To this day, as reminders, he wears Peace, Love, and the Warrior Spirit in front of his heart.
His mentors walk with him. As he learns. As he begins again.
And as he leaves this story behind.
Circle of Love
by John O’Donohue
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
— from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, by John O’Donohue
Often times, I’ll lead hikes or trips with a group of people in which our goals are to learn something valuable from the experience that we might be able to apply in our daily lives. Experiential learning. I’ll usually set up an outline, perhaps having a series of quotes which might give a particular perspective, or perhaps having a few engaging interactive activities planned that might enhance the experience. Through the experience, guided reflection, and de-brief facilitation, the insights that people share are often so much more powerful than anything I (as one individual) could have come up with on my own. That’s the beauty of group learning! Here was my simple outline going into today’s Mindful Hiking workshop at Heart of the Village Yoga in Manchester, VT. I’d read a “quote”; we’d brief the next section of the hike; hike a little; do some yoga postures; de-brief; and then move on to the next quote and segment of our little hike.
(Quotes adapted from “The Pocket Thich Nhat Hanh)
Mindfulness of Breathe: The way to maintain your presence in the here and now is through the mindfulness of the breathe. There is no need to manipulate the breathe. Beathe is a natural thing; like air, like light, we should leave it as it is and not interfere with it. What we are doing is simply lighting up the lamp of awareness to illuminate our breathing. We generate the energy of mindfulness to illuminate everything that is happening in the present moment.
Brief: Let’s use all of our senses to feel, hear, see, taste and smell our breathe… and then use all of our senses to feel, hear, see, taste and smell everything that is happening around us in this present moment.
De-Brief: Does anyone want to share anything about this experience, what you might have observed in yourself or around you?
Walking Meditation Practice: Walking is an important form of meditation. It can be a very deep spiritual practice. Walk without effort; walk without strain. Just enjoy walking. When you walk in mindfulness, you are in touch with all of the wonders of life within you and around you. For many of us, this can be difficult because our minds are elsewhere and we are not walking with our full body and our full consciousness. We see our minds and our bodies as two separate things. While our bodies are walking one way, our consciousness is tugging us in a different direction. When we understand the interconnectedness of our bodies and our minds, the simple act of walking can feel supremely easy and pleasurable.
Brief: Let’s take a step and touch the earth in such a way that you establish yourself in the present moment. No effort required: your foot touches the earth mindfully, and you arrive firmly in the here and now. You are fully present, fully alive, and you are touching the earth. Breathe in and take one step, and focus all of your attention on the sole of your foot. Smile, then take the next step!
De-Brief: Does anyone want to share anything about this experience, what you might have observed in yourself or around you?
Touching the Earth: Touching the earth each day helps us in many ways. The earth has been here for a long time. She is mother to all of us. She knows everything. With the earth we are very safe. She is very patient; she helps us; she protects us. When we die, she takes us back into her arms. She is always there to support us, in all of her wonderful expressions like trees, flowers, butterflies, and sunshine. Touching the earth is a good practice to heal you and restore your joy.
Brief: Now, let’s take each step with an attitude of gratitude for the earth and all of her wondrous expressions. Touch the earth; touch her expressions… the leaves, the soil, the water, the flowers… Feel her support and patience.
De-Brief: Does anyone want to share anything about this experience, what you might have observed in yourself or around you?
Children of the Earth: We are all children of the earth. We are continually rising from Mother Earth, being nurtured by her, and then returning to her. All life is impermanent. Like us, plants are born, live for a period of time, and then return to the earth and become the source of food for future growth, future generations. We all depend on each other. We humans think we’re intelligent, but an orchid, for example, knows how to produce symmetrical flowers; a snail knows how to a make beautiful, well-proportioned shell. Compared with their knowledge, ours might not be worth that much at all. Maybe we should bow down to the orchid and the snail. Maybe we should join our palms reverently before the butterfly and the oak tree. Maybe, feeling respect for all species will help us recognize and cultivate the noblest nature in ourselves.
Brief: Let’s walk as if we are nature itself, dependent on each and every plant, animal, and organism… each and every mineral, element, piece of matter around us. Perhaps, as we feel their vulnerability, we’ll feel our own. Perhaps, as we feel their importance in the web of life, we’ll feel our own too.
De-Brief:
Does anyone want to share anything about this experience, what you might have observed in yourself or around you?
What is the biggest take-away, most meaningful learning experience, that you’ll take way with you and into your daily lives from today’s hike?
There are many perspectives on eating well and healthy diets. I try to keep it simple:
1. Have an attitude that your life and longevity is your responsibility. It is a daily experiment in which you are the boss of your lab. As in any experiential learning model in which you do something, learn from it, and do it again (better), learn to pay attention to what you eat and how it makes you feel… then adjust. In this case, it’s about being healthy, being resilient, sustaining your life. We’re all a little different. Learn. Learn about what works for you.
2. Have positive goals, but make changes one step at a time in a way that ensures success. Remember, it is a life-long experiment; it is a way of life. Start today. Then again. And again… Today is the most important day of your life. Be positively successful. If it is not enough to set these goals for the benefit of yourself, set them for the benefit of others, perhaps a loved one for whom you are responsible. Be their role model. Walk the walk!
3. Have support. We all tend to want to be warriors in life and prove our own ability to do things on our own. Okay. But we will often be limited in our growth to our previous experience and knowledge. Find a coach, a mentor, a health counselor or therapist, or a motivating – yet diverse – support group. If we want to continually change to be healthy and live longer, we must: (1) be aware of possibilities (education), (2) be motivated to change (personal determination, inspired coaching), (3) be ready to actually change (personal responsibility and ongoing support), then make the changes, and (4) pay attention to change as it happens, reflect, and learn. Begin again.
It is often not enough to know what to do, we all will benefit also from learning how to do it. It is logical as teachers to assume that if we provide valuable information, a student will naturally use that information to try to improve what they do. Not enough. As students, each of us will benefit from learning the steps in how to eat better. You say, “Eat real foods and avoid processed foods.” I say, “how?” Often, the “how-to’s” expose themselves in the process of actually doing things and while trying to eat better. Thus, the on-going coaching and support is vital to helping provide these insights.
Where to start? Take responsibility for your own health, set goals, learn, and get support!
For learning, here are a few resources that I have found helpful:
Precision Nutrition’s Blog and Infographics. Here are a couple of examples:
precision-nutrition-fix-a-broken-diet
A few years ago, a friend of mine gave me some simple advice:
(1) Clean out the kitchen;
(2) Go get real food, locally-grown if possible;
(3) Make real food and eat it!
“How?” I asked.
He said, “Try starting as follows:”
At the grocery store, shop around the perimeter where real food is displayed and perhaps chilled. Start with vegetables and fruits of all colors. The center aisles tend to display packaged and processed foods. Real foods are foods that are closest to being in their natural state. If possible, shop at the local farmer’s market. In your diet, taking one step at a time, work towards the following. When you are successful with these items, we’ll go from there and perhaps look at things like vitamins and minerals, supplementation, potential allergies, timing of eating, and of course exercise! Let’s start by getting a healthy digestive system, improving the digestive environment (bacteria and enzymes) of our guts, and reducing associated inflammation in our bodies!
(1) Eliminate sugar and flour: Eliminate all foods that contain processed sugar and/or flour. This includes soft drink and fruit juices, and anything containing high-fructose corn syrup.
(2) Add healthy fats: Use healthy fats such butter, meat fat, ghee, olive oil, lard, coconut oil, whole cream, and coconut milk to replace the calories that were coming from sugars and flours.
(3) Eliminate vegetable / seed oils: These require excessive processing. Use the healthy fats listed above instead, fats closest to their natural state.
(4) Reduce grain intake: This is one of those areas where further research is on-going. Is it the grain itself? Or, is it the source and processing of the grain which causes inflammation in some people? Learn for yourself. Try reducing grain intake, particularly wheat, barley, and rye. Replace these foods with more nourishing and nutrient-dense safe-starches, like potatoes and rice (a low-processed grain), for example. Or, get whole grains from a local, non-industrialized source, a source with minimal processing.
When we look at our evolution and see that many of the common modern-day health problems weren’t common in our evolutionary history, we start to see the many, many variables that influence a healthy diet. A diet based on evolutionary science, using modern, evidence-based data, would probably look like this:
EAT: Vegetables (including root vegetables), fruit (including fruit oils), nuts, fish, meat, eggs, tubers, and maybe… dairy (especially fermented), legumes, and non-refined whole grains.
AVOID: Added sugars and nutritional products of industry (including refined fats, and refined carbohydrates)… items from the center aisles!
Simple enough? Okay. Let’s go! Take your health to new heights… Eat well. Keep hydrated. Move and exercise. Get rest. Have support in your life. And learn!
Keep it simple. Be successful. It’s up to you. Walk the walk. Today.
Here’s to a long, hearty life!
PS: Thanks to my friend and mentor, Tyler S for your guidance, information, and inspiration… You know who you are… and many reading this will too. If you want me to share your info, let me know!
Another reference: blog.dansplan.com/a-meta-analysis-of-the-paleolithic-nutrition-pattern-an-interview-of-authors.
These thoughts began today after some discussions about my work. I found myself trying to clarify my intentions for my work. I’d like to generate clear and concise plans. In the past, I’ve tended to focus on reasonable business and job opportunities available… what other people think. This time, I’m trying to take a step back and really listen to my intuition, tune into being me, and then stepping forward in ways more natural to being me. Today, these words flowed out of me…
I am a learner. I facilitate learning. I am humble… in that I look at every being with an attitude of respect and dignity, and every experience (and human interaction) as an opportunity for learning. I look at life as one big experiment. The experiential education model fits my perspective on learning and in life: do… reflect… learn and adapt… do again. I tend to see the beauty of each person’s soul… and enjoy helping people see it themselves, in themselves. Thus, I enjoy helping people find joy, inner-power, and feelings of ease and equanimity. One person at a time; one group at a time. (And because I see everything as being connected, in time and in space, just like Nature, I feel that each of our impacts in our lives on this Earth is Universal and Divine in Nature.) I care for people in a very deep, unassuming and non-judgmental way. I connect with others through my heart and feelings of compassion first. And I am very loyal to those with whom I’m connected. It’s just who I am.
When I speak of the desire to help others or be a leader, it is from this perspective. The teaching is in the facilitation of helping people learn from experiences, helping to enhance their lives, and helping them see in themselves what they haven’t yet seen. Perhaps, even helping them feel re-connected spiritually in this World .
Ultimately, we expand the limits of our learning and capabilities through being engaged with others. I am inspired by group-learning, team-building, and community-building… and the challenges of finding common ground and synergistic relationships within diversity. For me, I tend to just see common ground and positive solutions, not differences or road-blocks.
I see myself as a humble facilitator of learning… planting seeds… bringing joy, one village at a time. Being a mirror… perhaps a filtered mirror that tries to reflect back positivity.
I do not boast of these things. It is not my ego speaking. It is just who I am. In fact, in talking about myself, I feel like I am not being my natural me. You see, I respect your knowledge, your being, your experience, our relationship, with reverence. My experience is just my experience; yours is yours. Each is unique and special. We learn together through our mutual experience. I want to learn from you and your experience, your perspective! I enjoy facilitating these shared learning experiences.
When I do something contrary to my perceived self-attributes… like writing about my opinions in a way that sounds like I’m trying to sell one perspective, or when working for instance in a environments of ego, judgment, disrespect… I feel like I’m violating my sense of personal integrity.
So, I quietly observe, learn, and often move on.
From my perspective, because I just see the world this way, I tend to assume everyone sees things the same way… and sees me respectfully in this same, unassuming Way.
When I am quiet, it is often because I am bored, or not being engaged, or not being seen for who I am, or not learning, or not feeling connecting with others in a whole-hearted way. It is not that I am unhappy; my mind and heart just goes to places where I feel connected (often in a very visual and dream-state way). I just long to be connected in the present time and present space. And that connection is often created by the present experience of learning, adapting, making things better, or challenging myself through the adventure of new experiences… or practicing and teaching yoga… or being in Nature… with others.
I continue to be drawn more and more to yoga as my intended path. I feel like I have a strong intuition. Practicing yoga enhances my sense of intuition. In a way, it seems to validate deeply what I probably already naturally know in my body to be true.
Why am I writing all of this down today? I guess I’m just trying to stay true to being me. Maybe, I am just honoring my dad and mom. My dad (see my Tribute in this blog) passed away two years ago today. I am visiting my mom tomorrow. I honor her resiliency; they were together about 70 years. Now, she lives alone. That eats away at my soul…
It reminds me how much I care. It reminds me to honor my empathetic and intuitive nature. It also reminds me to keep on learning and sharing educational experiences with others.
I am just trying to find my place, my Way… and I cherish having my wife Jo (and our dog Emma) by my side. I feel gratitude for each and every person and experience (positive and negative) in my life who has helped me see the best in me… starting with my parents.
I honor and respect each of our individual paths. From my perspective, I see them with equal importance, vital importance. We may each feel small, but we are each part of something huge. We are all in this together. My life ultimately depends on me (and that feeling of responsibility drives my learning). My life also depends on each of you.
Thanks!
I just came back from a long weekend in Providence, RI attending the Level I Certified Functional Strength Coach (CFSC) program conducted by Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning (MBSC) and the Perform Better Functional Training Summit. I thought I’d share some of the things that I learned or some things that were reinforced for me in new ways.
I was fortunate to not only work with Mike Boyle and the MBSC staff, but I also attended workshops conducted by Eric Cressey, Gray Cook, Martin Rooney, Todd Wright, Gary Gray, Bill Knowles, Roman Torgovitsky, and Evan Osar.
Some random thoughts and take-aways:
Good coaching is good coaching, good teaching is good teaching; no matter the sport or the subject. Be clear, be passionate, be inspiring… and care about your students.
CFSC has developed a clear system that is applicable to all people; young athletes to aging adults, weekend warriors to professional competitors. Learn about your students’ functional strengths, movements, and limitations, and apply the program utilizing prescribed progressions and regressions to help them move better, perform better, and just feel better.
Especially since the work of the Postural Restoration Institute relative to alignment and breathing, the fundamentals of yoga breathwork, asana postures, and core function is being more widely accepted in the functional fitness world. Exhale deeply to engage the core muscles (like you are about to be punched in the gut is the way an athlete would describe it). Focus on breathwork to develop focus, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and to stabilize the core.
Avoid loaded core work that flexes and extends the spine. Avoid twisting work that twists the lumbar spine. Focus on stabilizing core work that develops a stable pelvis and better motor control, and mobilization work that allows better mobility of the thoracic spine (where ribs are attached).
Develop scapular range of motion for healthy overhead work to protect the shoulders from injury. Pulling shoulder blades down and back in retraction is not healthy for the shoulders. Scapula should be spread wide (outwardly rotated away from spine) and posteriorly tilted; the rings of your rib-structure should be stacked vertically (and slightly tilted down in front) to allow the shoulder structure to sit and “float” on top. Imagine “suspended” shoulders, not depressed shoulders! Engage core to keep ribs from protruding forward and lumbar spine from arching too far in extension (which in turn will cause forward shoulders, tight pec minor muscles, and aching backs and necks).
Design workouts in a manner which develop stability through a wide range of joint mobility using a rational approach which includes healthy, 3-dimensional body movements in the sagital plane (forward flexing and extending), frontal plane (side bending and lateral movements), and transverse plane (rotary movements). The CSFC system filters many possible movements into a system which includes a joint-by-joint approach to developing client-specific functional training programs. (Of course, yoga asana practice can be designed to do the same thing.)
Training people for performance has the added benefit of helping people avoid injury. Training routines should increase performance and help to recondition injured clients; they should not cause injury! Avoid movements and workout programs which exceed the limits of an individual’s capabilities or which reinforce dysfunctional movements. The goal of any program should be to reduce injuries.
Manual therapy (massage, foam rolling, and specialized self-massage techniques) is an important daily practice to move fluids and to develop healthy fascia structure.
Continue to include gymnastic-type training and strength training in my programs! Roll, stretch, warm-up and activate, focus on functional movements, train for overall power and strength, and include conditioning work. Our bodies are designed to be generally upright… walking, running, climbing, jumping, even crawling… train with this in mind. Core… hip-dominant movements… knee dominant movements… pushing… pulling… vertical plane… horizontal plane…
Develop an assessment or functional movement screening process to measure progress and functional improvements. For me, my next steps will be to learn Gray Cook’s Functional Movement Screen (FMS) program!
There appears to me to be much common ground between ancient Eastern yoga asana practice and Western evidence-based functional training practices. And more than one speaker also mentioned the mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of training and manual body work through the intentional, awareness-developing aspects of mindful movement (referencing recent evidence-based neuroscience research, of course)!
I was impressed with the organization of the CFSC program and training system. As both an engineer and a ski teacher / clinician in my previous professional careers, I regularly sifted through many variables and alternatives to find systems or solutions (building structures… skiing movements… training material) that were clear, easy-to-understand, efficient, relevant, sensible and accurate. The CFSC program seems to satisfy these considerations.
The audience here was certainly different than the audience at Wanderlust or at a yoga conference. This audience certainly had more men than most yoga events I’ve attended, for sure! But, overall health and wellness goals, fitness education, personal improvement, and the desire to serve others, are common characteristics of both audiences. Similar goals, different paths, healthy people.
A few years ago, I was fortunate to be in a place and time where I was a part of the birth of Warriors Live On. Filled with hope, we envisioned creating transformative experiences that would integrate various healing practices to help combat veterans transition from combat to community. Based on our own successes with various healing modalities- mindfulness-based therapeutic practices, heartfelt and supportive human interaction, mentorship and community-building, outdoor education and connection with nature, and other healthy living practices- we saw the experience of a long trek as being a metaphor for living. Many steps. Ups and downs. Each step an opportunity to let go and move forward. Each step an opportunity to Live On.
I’d like to send my best wishes to those who have made the first Warriors Live On trek a reality- participants, sponsors, volunteers, other supporters. I send my heartfelt respect and congratulations to Eva Belanger for your dedicated and determined work to turn dreams into reality. I am not there in person, but I am there in spirit! I hope to be with you along the next journey. I love you all.
I encourage anyone reading this post to support this effort. You can so here.
I offer this humble personal note to trek participants, just as a way, perhaps, to plant more seeds:
It seems that life is often about finding balance between the opposing forces that pull us in one direction and then another. Each step you take on this trek is like a balancing act. Moving forward is a balancing act between holding on to what serves you well and letting go of what doesn’t support you well. Being yourself is a balancing act between accepting the fabric of who you already are and striving towards the life you’d like to lead. Let this trek help you move forward in a new balanced way. Let the experience of being with others in nature, trekking, sharing, supporting, and learning give rise to new perspectives in your life.
Learning from nature can teach us how to find better ways to live. Living in flow with nature can help us heal and move forward in a balanced way:
Winter is the season of the Warrior: it’s about standing with integrity; it’s about being present like the air we breathe and being strong yet flexible like a tree in the changing Northerly winds. Take moment to stand with your trekking mates, as a group of brothers and sisters, as you know how, respecting and honoring one another.
Spring, the present season, is the season of the Healer: it’s about being whole-hearted; it’s about being supportive, like the earth we stand on, and learning to trust the interdependence of all living things as we spring to new life. Take a moment to lay down in the loving arms of Mother Earth and feel its infinite support for you; look South, feel the warmth that’s always there.
Summer, the season you are approaching, is the season of the Visionary: it’s about seeing and telling the truth without blame or judgment; it’s about walking forward with authenticity towards your life’s purpose, being your true shining self, like the summer sun. Take a moment to be mindful of your true self, without judgment, as you walk forward, look East with the clarity of a new day, and live on.
Autumn is the season of the Teacher: it’s about reflecting upon and accepting things without attachment to the outcome; it’s about trusting and letting go, like leaves falling from autumn trees or water flowing down meandering streams; it’s about finding the wisdom in all things and being your own teacher. Autumn is about transformation, like water, as we constantly seek our source. Just as the sun sets in the Western California sky, let go of today and have faith in the new day ahead. Tomorrow, you will be a mentor for another warrior….
Balancing our Warrior and Healer instincts, our Visionary and Teacher attributes, we too flow towards our source, I believe, the center of our being, the ocean of inner peace and love that connects us all. For me at least, when I am in this place where I feel this balance and deep sense of connectedness, using nature as my model, I feel at home. (For me, this usually occurs in the mountains… where my spirit soars!)
To each combat veteran trekking with Warriors Live On this month, I wish you the best. I send you my best wishes, my support, my love, and my unconditional respect. I hope that the experience in nature with a team of supportive brothers and sisters helps you find balance, see new perspectives, and feel the connectness that we all share. Trek On! One step at a time. As Warriors, Healers, Visionaries and Teachers…
In all four directions, in all four seasons- and like the air, earth, sun, and water- may you find balance, inner peace and inner power, and Live On!
And please know that you can travel in all directions and still find your way to Vermont! I’d love to meet each of you one day.
Bob Speck and Eva Belanger. The day we met.
As most of you know, I maintain a very regular practice of personal fitness. It has become my lifestyle over the last 20 years, beginning with long-distance bike riding, mountain biking, triathlons, and other endurance sports, and evolving to more attention to strength training, yoga, and close attention to nutrition. I’ve sought to build my body and mind in a balanced way, strength and flexibility, striving to be better while accepting all that I am. Recently, I’ve started to teach yoga and fitness classes at Heart of the Village Yoga Studio. I’ve always enjoyed teaching and coaching sports… skiing, snowboarding, soccer, baseball… This past winter, I coached Special Olympics athletes. Recently, I taught yoga to some high school students and teams. So, why not coach some individuals this summer, too?
I’ve decided to work with a few selected individuals this summer as a way to get started. I am a ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). I have been working myself for the past year with Dave Knight at Spectrum Fitness Consulting in Beverly, MA, and have been inspired by my friend in California, Tyler Simmons of Evolutionary Health Systems. In addition to numerous yoga teacher-trainings, I have attended many strength and conditioning workshops over the years with Cressey Performance in Hudson, MA, and will be working towards my Certified Functional Strength Coach and Precision Nutrition certifications this summer. I will be looking for 5 individuals who’d like to work together with me for 3 months!
Now, to get the word out… I just joined Thumbtack.com to help me spread the word. I also have a new small website for my business name: Perspective Coaching.
Yes, life is a balancing act. For me, it is a lifelong practice. So much to see. So much to do. So much to learn. So much to share.
Photo by Ali Kaukas for Heart of the Village Yoga Studio, Manchester, VT
As a yoga teacher, a strength training coach, and an outdoor educator, I thought I’d summarize some of what I’ve learned throughout my own personal life experiences in the format of my own 12-step outline for personal wellness. I call them perspectives because they are topics to be considered and perhaps explored further (they’ll have different meanings for different people), and because that’s what I’m now calling my Vermont-based coaching work: Perspective Coaching.
So, today I am posting a draft of my outline for my friends to review and to help guide me as I develop content for the next twelve posts.
I come to this effort with a desire to help readers evolve to a healthier – perhaps more sustainable – lifestyle. My assumption is that each of us are struggling to exist in a challenging world, that each of us have our own life-story of hardship and distress, and that each of us is looking for a way to flow through life with a greater sense of ease and common good. I’m also offering these 12 wellness practices from a guy’s perspective… but I’m not intending it to be only for guys.
My preliminary outline is below. Within each topic, my plan is to develop how-to’s which give some options for people to try. Please contact me with comments.
I’ll discuss perspectives my own experiences in Yin Yoga and Power Yoga, indigenous cultures, experiential and adventure learning, therapeutic and adaptive yoga and sports, western strength training and wellness practices, and my own body-mind-spirit explorations.
1. Calm Waters: Finding Safety in the Storm. (I’ll discuss basic practices to help calm the nervous system, including surrounding yourself with support.)
2. Breathe: Our Primary Focus. (I’ll discuss breathing techniques and some visualization practices to enhance abilities to find calmness and focus.)
3. Cultivating Awareness: Being our own Witness. (I’ll bring attention to the concept of observing your thoughts and not becoming attached to them.)
4. Heart Sense: Moving from Head to Heart. (I’ll discuss concepts such as acceptance and compassion, and share practices which help develop intuition and sense of inner knowing… and moving away from a life of judgment and comparison… and moving towards a thriving life, naturally.)
5. Setting Intention: What am I Practicing? (Based on the idea that we become what we practice in life, I’ll discuss goal-setting practices and the benefits of setting positive intentions… and living in a manner as if they are already happening.)
6. Reach Deep: The Courage to be Your Self. (I’ll discuss practices to let go of “what you think should be” and to develop an attitudes of positivity and courage. I’ll discuss the concept of Dharma, and realizing your strengths.)
7. Mindful Movement: Finding Inner Power and Balance. (I’ll discuss basic principles of yoga asana and mindful strength training practices, and developing physical balance and alignment. I’m guessing that this will my focus for further posts too.)
8. Nurturing Harmony: Stabilizing Attention and Intention. (I’ll discuss practices which support finding equanimity and personal harmony, including the benefits of nutrition and regular practice.)
9. Adventurous Spirit: Maintaining Attitudes of Awe and Discovery. (The world is constantly changing. I’ll discuss practices which enhance abilities to learn, adapt, and sustain an awesome life in the light. Live a life full of experiences.)
10. Practice Loving-Kindness: The Karma of Connection. (I’ll discuss the concepts of Karma, Oneness, Gaia, and the importance of feeling connected and engaged in the bigger picture, with others, with nature… and perhaps leading changes within your family and community, one relationship at a time.)
11. Reflections: Strengthening Learning and Self-Regulation. (The learning occurs during the times of reflection. I’ll discuss non-judgmental reflection and de-brief practices.)
12. Starting Again: Life Goes On. (I like to look at my life according to the legend of Kokopelli, bringing joy to my surroundings, one day at a time, planting seeds, then moving on. I’ll discuss this perspective, the power of living in the present, but also the concept of being part of the evolutionary cycle of life. My Soul Lives.)